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Arsenal fans urge transfer review

The Arsenal Supporters Trust has urged the club to “open a full review into its arrangements for scouting and purchasing players”.

The Gunners went into transfer deadline day having signed only goalkeeper Petr Cech from Chelsea but with Arsene Wenger having assured supporters the club were “working” on signing a new striker.

Wenger had also said he was “confident that a last-minute situation” would be available, although he had also bemoaned the “availabilty of top-class players”.

The Gunners were linked with moves for Paris Saint-Germain duo Edinson Cavani and Adrian Rabiot going into the final hours of the window but ultimately made no attempt to sign a new striker or holding midfielder, according to the The Independent.

Arsenal ended the window as the only club in Europe’s top five leagues not to sign an outfield player.

Wenger was reported to have a transfer budget of around £50million to add to his squad, and the Arsenal Supporters Trust has called for a review from the club as to why the money was not spent.

“Arsenal are in a very strong financial position thanks and it is of course disappointing that the transfer window has closed with just the signing of Petr Cech,” read an AST statement.

“Arsenal have built a strong squad and just one or two more good additions would have strengthened the chances of winning a first title in 11 years. No one wants Arsenal to buy players just for the sake of it, but we do want to see the money being invested to make the club stronger.

“This isn’t an issue that affects just one transfer window and seems to indicate a wider structural issue. In recent years Arsenal have overhauled both their Academy and their medical set-up. We urge the board to now open a full review into its arrangements for scouting and purchasing players. A review of this type is a good governance practice and can only help Arsenal to become a stronger club. The AST will be raising this with the Arsenal board.

“Now that the window is closed the squad is as it is. Arsenal have a strong squad that has recently won silverware and we urge all fans to get behind the team over the rest of the season.”